My journey with heart health has been a long-distance marathon, not a sprint. Not only have I lost several family members (including Dad and my brother) to heart disease, but it has also shaped my personal health.  For over 20 years, I lived with a diagnosed heart murmur—always "monitoring" it and waiting. This past year, as I neared “my senior years” , I decided it was time to stop watching and start acting.

I worked with a "team of heart care specialists" to explore my options, and right after Thanksgiving, I underwent a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). The technology was a modern miracle—the valve replacement took only 20 minutes. However, the heart had its own plans; complications arose, and four days later, I was back in to have a pacemaker installed.

What I learned through that "cluster" of healthcare experiences is that we are living in an era of incredible technological advancement. Because of the research and technology funded by organizations like the American Heart Association, I was back at work immediately after having my heart re-wired.

I’m participating in this year's Heart Walk to prove that "relic" is not in my vocabulary.

While the surgery and the pacemaker were unexpected hurdles, I’ve never been one to let a "failing part" dictate my pace. A little of that Davis stubbornness kicked in early; I decided right then that I wasn't going to slow down just because my heart needed a reboot.

In spite of the setbacks, I used my recovery period to prove that this "old dog" still has the lead on the pack. I’m proud to share that just yesterday, I officially earned my PMI Certified Professional in Managing AI (PMI-CPMAI)™. Mastering a cutting-edge field like Artificial Intelligence while recovering from heart surgery was my way of showing that I’m not just getting by—I’m getting ahead.

I’m  heading into the “senior years” on my own terms: with a re-wired heart, a sharper mind, and a brand-new toolkit.  I have been blessed and I want to “give back”.